Hell hath no fury like an ape scorned...

Lesson 1: Testing on animals is NOT good.
Lesson 2: Don't piss off a chimp.

When the full trailer for Rise of the Planet of the Apes was released, I was none but pleased to see the ever-attractive James Franco and ever-gorgeous Freida Pinto sharing the screen in the much anticipated prequel. Later I learned that Andy Serkis decided to bust out the green suit again to play another CGI character.

I will be honest, I have never seen the original. Nor have I seen the 2001 remake by Tim Burton. The only movie with chimps would have been Tarzan... the Disney version. So when I saw the trailer, I couldn't help but gawk at the advancement of film-making technology. It is armed with CGI work that rivals Avatar... the apes look incredibly lifelike!

The film surrounds a genetic engineer named Will Rodman. His research is primarily on finding something that will hopefully cure Alzheimer's -- a disease his own father has. Will tests out a drug on a chimp named Bright Eyes and sees that her intelligence is growing -- a telltale sign that his drug should help Alzheimer's sufferers. When Bright Eyes goes bananas, her life comes to an untimely end and her newborn baby is left without a parent. Will shows compassion towards the chimp and brings him home where he is given the name Caesar.
As the chimp becomes part of the family, the intelligence Bright Eyes possessed is passed onto Caesar and as each day grows, his IQ increases.
One day, Alzheimer's troubles the family when Will's father gets into a neighbor's car and causes a ruckus. As Will's father is being verbally abused by the angered neighbor, Caesar watches in his room window. Protective of his family, Caesar rushes outside to protect Mr. Rodman. This results in Caesar being violent towards the neighbor, and ultimately is pulled away by animal control to a compound where other chimps live.

Thus begins the downfall of Caesar's trust in humans, and the rise of the apes.

If you have seen the trailer, you obviously know what happens. The chimps are outraged by the way they are being treated by humans so they break out of the compound. What else is next but a showdown with the humans. They literally go ape shit on San Fransisco.

For most of the movie, I found myself growing fond of Caesar. He is so lovable, but so misunderstood. About half the movie is seeing Caesar growing up. I did not find it slow at all. It was all rise, but it was gradual and I liked that. It wasn't too slow paced.

What I didn't enjoy is that Tom Felton's character seems so Draco-like. Having watched him play Malfoy for the past 10 years, I couldn't help but see him as his Potter persona. Although I really like him, I wish he didn't always have to play the bad guy...

While Andy Serkis was blowing me away with his best ape impression, James Franco didn't act as well as he did in 127 Hours. However, the focus of the movie is not on him. His looks and beautiful co-star made up for his lack-luster performance. Again, the focus of the movie is not on humans so I don't have much to say about Freida Pinto. She's just really nice to look at... She didn't have much to say so I can't criticize too much.

I have to admit that the film was great and well received. Achieving over 80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes is quite the accomplishment for the remake. It ends leaving the audience itching for more. Luckily, there will be more Apes swinging our way in the future.

I Have a Dream...

...and it came true at 8:30pm on Saturday, August 6 2011. After a satisfying pho dinner, much, much anticipation, a great opening act and a half hour break, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys started their second last show in their NKOTBSB tour.

I. Went. Bananas.

Turn back the clock to 1999 when Millennium was released. An album packed with what are now BSB classics I couldn't help but fall madly in love with the Boys, but really, what isn't there to love? They cover all bases -- catchy dance beats as well as slower love songs, and they dance. They are what all boy bands will forever be compared to... and they will never measure up.

2001 comes around and for my 11th birthday I received Black and Blue.
Shape of My Heart is still my favorite on that album.

Fast forward to 2005 when my dear friend's birthday occurred shoftly after the release of Never Gone. Because I was too cheap to buy her the actual CD and I was feeling techy, I made her a mixed CD of past BSB hits as well as their new material. The love grew as I reacquainted myself with their biggest hits.

2008 rolls around and I am off to first year at Wilfrid Laurier. Thanks to a wonderful thing called DC++ I managed to download their entire discography and a tiny obsession begins.

All this time, I'm dreaming of one day seeing them in concert.

Summer 2011 my friend Eileen emails my girlfriends and I telling us that NKOTBSB will make a stop in Hamilton! Without hesitation we all agreed to get tickets for the show. The obsession grew as each day passed. The closer we got to the date, the more I was starting to  feel like I was a preteen again.
The week before the concert my sister and I listened to all their songs to prep us for the concert.

When the day finally came, my friends and I spent a couple hours making our tshirts. When they were dry, we ventured into Hamilton where we saw about 8 tour buses parked outside Copps Coliseum. We were going to see our childhood loves! As Copps is really close to our dinner spot, we walked there. Before we got close to the main entrance we saw a group of women crowded behind yellow tape. What were they there for? To catch a glimpse of the Boys of course! Determined to see Brian (our favorite), we stuck around. We waited around for about 15 minutes when one of the bus's doors opened. Women screamed as Howie D stepped outside and walked in our direction!! He stopped in front of the small crowd we were in and started shaking hands. I muscled myself in there and he touched my hand and WINKED.

Brian didn't end up coming out and the concert was starting. We didn't want to miss too much so we made our way to our seats. Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schue from Glee) was the opening act. He's amazing live! Sounds just like recordings. And he's way more attractive in real life.
Great way to start the show.

30 minute intermission.

Lights dim, fans scream, opening video introduces the groups and then BAM. The bands appear and sing some of their lyrics to Viva la Vida. Actually a dream come true. The concert was amazing! Could care less about New Kids but the Boys still got it! What made it even better is that they sang all my favorites!






Concert highlights:
- many crotch grabbing dance moves (so funny seeing 40 year old Kids dancing like that)
- seeing Brian
- Jordan Knight's comical high-pitched falsetto
- Donnie Wahlberg stripping
- BSB's amazing dancing
- "Don't Turn Out the Lights"
- "Everybody" encore
- experiencing this with my girls




I have never screamed so much or so loud in my life but it was definitely worth the sore throat!

Who shalt play Romeo?

According to Perez Hilton the role of Romeo has been cast by Douglas Booth. This I confirmed on IMDB. The name is not familiar to me, but like Hailee Steinfeld, a name I am sure we will be hearing for years to come.

...Actually, now that I think about it, he was the boy Miley Cyrus allegedly dated briefly after her initial split from Liam Hemsworth. Anyways, he will soon have another reason to remember his name. The fresh faced newcomer will be starring alongside Hailee Steinfeld as the famous star crossed lovers. While I know absolutely nothing about him, I think he is the appropriate age to star as the leading male.

In similar news, Holly Hunter is set to play the Nurse, and (Vampire Diaries fans rejoice) Paul Wesley will play Paris, the guy who does not get the girl. Shouldn't matter, he's so good looking, he should get pity dates easily.

Read more about it on Perez's website!

So long, Farewell

There once was a boy named Harry

Whose name was mentioned in a prophecy

One must die

While the other survives

And thus it all began

Hunting for Horcuxes

Voldy's soul now fluxes

Voldemort rises again

His power so great

Harry’s life was up to fate

…and the Battle was less than accurate.

Like my fellow Potter fans, I have been anticipating “The End” since the release of the final novel. It was inevitable, and for most it means the end of their childhood. I am one of them.

I started reading the series when The Prisoner of Azkaban had already been published. A friend introduced me to the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry and it was unlike anything I had ever read. I was fully immersed in their world.

All 7 books were published within 10 years, and similarly, the films were also released within 10 years. If I started reading the books when I was just shy of the age of 10. It means that Harry Potter has been part of my life for 12 years.

More than half my life has been dedicated to the series and I’m sad it has come to an end. However, the purpose of this post is not to bore you with my laments, but to share my thoughts on the final gift the franchise could give.

After being blown away by Part 1 of The Deathly Hallows, I expected no less from Part 2. Because I had not read the book since 2007, I felt compelled to refresh my memory and read it once more. 

I believe the movie was a joy to watch – cinematically speaking. 3D didn’t do much for me but I got Harry Potter glasses out of it. The film was full of emotion… those who have read the books will understand why. For those of you who don’t read the books and haven’t seen the movie yet, I will not spoil it for you. The most frustrating aspect of the movie was the inaccuracies that plagued the film.

Movies based off books have the difficulty of staying true to the original, for many reasons. The Harry Potter film franchise was no exception.

While I love the films, a part of me is always disappointed with the film doesn’t match the book. However, I must constantly be reminded that it is the Director’s vision not mine, that budgeting must play some role in the omission of characters, and again, it is someone else’s interpretation.

I liked the film, for it bade farewell to the beloved franchise… but unfortunately it was laced with inaccuracies.

While it saddens me to see it all end, I find comfort in the fact that Harry, Ron and Hermione still have adventures on paper.

Auf Wiedersehen, Harry Potter.

Oh na, na... Part III

You know the phrase "slice of pie"? How about naming my blog "Slice of Lai"?
It combines my love for food and it's a play on words.

Yay or nay?

Oh na, na... Part II

A while back I asked you guys what I should change blog name to and one person responded with "Lai to Me".

I really liked it, but I decided to go in that direction with my own twist. So please take a second to participate!

I have no idea how to put in an actual poll in my post... so I'll just ask that you write your answer in the comments section.

Name Change!
What should I change my blog name to?
1) Lai 2 You
2) All Things Stefani
3) Other (then write your suggestion)


Thanks friends!

Not your typical "Chick Flick"

Behold, Judd Apatow's latest -- Bridesmaids. It's The Hangover but with chicks. This hilarious film was released earlier this month and I was beyond excited to see it as I am a fan of Apatow's previous works. I expected a lot of laughs, crude humor, and obscenity.

When Annie's best friend Lillian becomes engaged, she's asked to be Lil's maid of honor. At the engagement party, she meets the rest of the bridesmaids.
There's Becca, a seemingly innocent newly wed who's nothing but smiles. Rita, a housewife and mother of 3 boys who's itching for girly time. Megan, Lil's fiance's sister who's low maintenance and has no filter, literally (she belches and passes gas like it's nobody's business). Lastly, there's Helen, Lillian's fiance's boss's wife, who's beautiful, passive aggressive, and Annie's competition as BFF.
Annie has to endure all the duties of maid of honor while keeping up with the other girls and trying to upstage Helen (which later seems impossible).
 
Toss in some vulgar language, cat fights, innuendos, hilarious catchphrases, sexual content and lots of puking, and you've got an Apatow movie. He sure knows how to cross the line.

Kristin Wiig is also worthy of acknowledgement. The story allows for her comedic styling to shine through. Joining her is fellow SNL regular Maya Rudolph and both funny ladies work really well together. Alongside the duo is Jenny McCarthy, best known for her role on Gilmore Girls. It was refreshing to see her play someone who's completely different to Sookie St. James. Rose Byrne adds to the group. Her striking good looks are deceiving, and she proves she's more than just a pretty face. Another recognizable face is Ellie Kemper (Erin from The Office). Though her character is similar to that of Erin, she's a great addition to the cast and brings a lot of laughs with her. Lastly, there's Wendi McLendon-Covey. I haven't seen much of her, but she's a very funny lady, as made evident in the movie's outtakes that made it on Funny or Die.
This talented group of women makes it clear that raunchy comedy isn't just for boys.

There were some really uncomfortable scenes to sit through, but the hilarity of the rest makes up for it.
I really did enjoy this movie and would recommend it to anyone who possesses a funny bone.

From Chuck to Tybalt

2 months ago, I blogged that Hailee Steinfeld had been cast to play Juliet in the upcoming adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

Well I've just read that Ed Westwick will be playing Juliet's cousin Tybalt in the Shakespearean love story.
You've probably seen him in the CW hit show Gossip Girl, in which Ed plays Chuck Bass. A heavy schemer who is devilishly charming. He plays that role with ease, and from what I know of the character Tybalt, I believe Ed's familiarity with playing the douche-bag will help him deliver a notable performance.

I can't wait to hear who will be cast to star opposite Hailee. She's only 14, so he's got to be age appropriate, otherwise it could get creepy.

Crap, please let it be anyone BUT Justin Bieber?!?
Who would you like to see play Romeo?

Read more about it on Perez!

HK: Day 18

Well, today was our last full day in Hong Kong. So we spent most of it wrapping up our trip.

Started at noonish today. We all had a late night, so we didn't eat our first meal till 12. We had dim sum with my uncle downstairs. (I love how convenient it is to eat around here!) Shortly after, we went back to the flat to do some packing. This is when I figured out that I bought the most during our time here. Most of which is from H&M. They have more stuff, AND no taxes. C'mon. How could I not??

Anyways... when my Mom and aunt came back from their massages, we made our way to the old folks home to see my Yeh Yeh one last time.
He looked so much better today than the last time. He seemed more aware of his surroundings, and was sharp and quick with his replies. He really does remember a lot, but he's a man of few words, so he doesn't always reply to our many queries. In fact, if he's feeling like he's being tested/pestered he'll just ignore the question and not say anything. It's pretty funny actually. Great to see he's still got a little kick in him after all.
When we finally had to say goodbye, that's when my heart broke yet again. I can't leave him like this... It was really hard to not get teary-eyed when kissing his cheek and saying joy geen (good bye). I can only hope to come back in the very near future to see his face again. I love you Yeh Yeh.

Some other very important people we had to see one more time was my Dai Bak (oldest uncle) and my auntie Moh. What better way to end our HK trip with some Korean BBQ? Good times. Good food. My auntie Moh talks so fast that we have to constantly remind her to speak a little slower. It's way harder for Ev and I because we have to translate whilst being ultra attentive.
Anyways, after dinner, with much persistence, we had a little family photo shoot in Tsim Sha Tsui. So many photos... So much fake smiling. Haha I miss them already though.

All in all folks, this was a great trip. I learned a lot about my family. Some good, some bad. I got to know my cous a bit better. And I could actually carry a conversation with my relatives. Winning!

Missing Dai Bak, but we're mostly all here.

HK: Day 17

Busy(ish) day.

Met up with Peter and Chess for lunch. It was a mini-Bronte Camp reunion!! Great company, great conversation, and great memories. Sad to say goodbye to Peter as we won't see him for a year (at least). And Chess I'll be sure to see when she visits in August.

So today we had made plans to go to a factory store to shop. The clothes and accessories come straight from the factories and are sold at outlet prices. Really cheap. Anyways, I was the only one that didn't buy anything (there). I know, I was surprised myself!

Well, our shopping adventure didn't end there. We made our way back to Ladies Market in Mong Kok and Langham Place, where my favorite H&M is. Of course I had to buy a dress I had been eying the whole 3 weeks we'd been here.

All that took just about the whole day. Dinner rolled around quickly.
My aunt made reservations at a restaurant downstairs to have Peking duck again. Personally I found it better than Taiwan (and my family agrees). Really good dinner.

Went home, and it was finally time for my facial. After that, I came to the conclusion that I like squeezing my own pimples... Not so much when someone else does it for me. Good times though.

It was our last night with my cousin, so afterward we exchanged our "goodbye"s and "see you soon"s. He promises to come to Canada in about 2 years time. I'll hold him to that.

HK: Days 13-16

Wow. Really dropped the ball on this one... Can you tell I've gotten lazy? Also no internet for 3 days = awful.

I've grouped days 13-16 together is that we spent them in Taiwan. I think my cousin Kelvin really over-hyped it... We did not have as much fun he normally does.

We were invited by my aunt (on Mom's side) to join her. My aunt's older sister lives in Taiwan, so we had a place to stay. Of course we agree to free accommodations, not knowing that her apartment is way old and not kept very well. I refused to take pictures of it, but believe what I said because even my Mom agreed. And that's saying something.

Basically there were no set plans, my family pretty much tagged along as my aunt and her sister went all around Taipei buying stuff for my aunt's coworkers. Where's the fun in that??? We took the metro, took buses, taxis, and walked til we could not move anymore.

The one thing keeping me from going insane was the fact that I got to see my housemate Maggie every day. She acted as tour guide, navigator and translator. And also got bossed around by my aunt and her sister. Bless her soul. She was such a good sport.

So Day 1 in Taiwan:

Guess which is mine.

Touched down in Taipei and it was pouring. Great start. From the airport, we took a very long bus til we got to the mall and had lunch. I called up Maggie and she met up with us later at 101, the largest building and shopping mall in Taipei (I think). Firstly we can't afford anything there, so we left and wandered around in the rain. Maggie brought us to this place to have bubble tea. I ordered a Large mango smoothie. It was WAY bigger than a Large back in Canada.

Anyways... After bubble tea, we wandered yet again in the rain til it was dinner time. We ate at a very famous restaurant with a very good reputation. It was ranked one of the top ten restaurants of the world in 1993. Impressive huh?? Really good food, and really good service. Overall, great experience.

Got home, and passed out in bedding that smelled like moth balls. Ew.

Day 2:

Took another long bus ride to find some hot springs. Almost left without dipping our feet in a spring until we passed by a random who pointed us to the river and where he had built his own little structure with hot spring water. It was sweet. The water is actually scalding (but very comfortable after a while). So we chilled there for a bit.

That's pretty much the most exciting thing of the day. I will spare you the frustrations we experience.


Day 3:
My last day with Maggie :(

Met up with her after lunch. She took us to have some mango ice dessert, then to see the memorial built for the first president of Taiwan. We're not history buffs, just an excuse to sit in some A/C. But it was pretty much like the Lincoln Memorial, but for the president of Taiwan.
Had Peking duck dinner with Maggie's Mom and sister. So nice of them to treat us to dinner.

That's about it.

When we got back to HK, my uncle had bought a cake in light of our return and to also remind us that no matter what's happened to us, we're still a family. Heart warming sentiment that we all shared.
Oh oh! After that we watched a home video from 1991 of me as a baby. I was CUUUUTE to say the least. Not biased at all.
Ask my Mom.

HK: Day 12

Today started like any other. Except we slept in a bit.
Lunch downstairs... you know the drill.

After breaky, my cousin came with us to shop for a bit in Mong Kok. A sudden flow of dollars prompted us to get some major shopping done.
I love the H&M Here. I can shop for hours. And the lack of tax makes it soo much better.

Today was a special day because after 10 long years, we finally got to see my Yeh Yeh (grandpa). He has Alzheimers and we were worried that he wouldn't remember us. But right when he saw her, he could recognize my Mom. Slowly he looked at the rest of us and you could see his face light up as he realized that his grand kids had come to see him.

Truth be told, he's not in the greatest condition. After watching videos from our last visit, it aches my heart to not see the healthy younger gramps I knew.
This man was much older, skinnier, and doesn't seem all there. But he was still my grandpa. I hated seeing him like that. But when he realized who we were, he really did seem happy. So happy that throughout dinner he held back tears. Tears he later let flow freely when we had to say goodbye. The hardest thing we've had to do. I didn't want to let go of him.

HK: Day 11

You know the stereotype that Asians can't drive? That is arguably false. Having witnessed the driving in China, it's safe to say that Chinese people are crazy good drivers, but only in their own environment.
Road rules do not apply there -- people drive as they please. So you have to be extra cautious. Canadians would not feel comfortable driving here. (This point was made by Ev)

So, didn't do much today. But before boarding the bus to go back to HK, we ate hot pot for lunch. But with congee. That wasn't the best lunch, but it sure was interesting if anything.

Thus began our journey home. Another 3 hour bus ride. Small problem at the border though, Mom and Ev filled out the wrong forms, so there was a short delay. Thankfully we all made it in time to catch the bus for the remainder of the trip.

That's about it for day 11.

HK: Day 10

Woke up at 6:15am to shower and get on a bus for 8:15am headed to China. But when we got to Mong Kok, my mom realized that she had left our tickets back at the flat!! Way to go Ma...
By that point it was already 8:00am and there wasn't enough time to go back and retrieve them and get on the bus in time. Thankfully my uncle was home and he raced to meet us. Also we were fortunate enough to switch our tickets to a later departure time.

After a 3 hour bus ride, we were finally in the motherland. We were greeted by my two (older) cousins, who drove us to the fanciest Chinese restaurant I've ever been to. My family sat at a table that was on a raised platform and surrounded by a pond that housed the biggest fish on the planet. Originally from Brazil and about 4-5 ft long... Holy massive. Holy expensive ($10 000). Not to mention tres ugly.

After dim sum we went to check out the factories my cousin now owns. There, they make lanyards, shoe laces, dog collars and so much more. So cool to see machinery at work.
I also really had to pee, so when I walked into the bathroom, I was really caught off guard when I saw the toilet which was essentially a hole... Never again.

Following our trip to the factory, we visited my family's houses. My uncle and cousins each have their own places, bu they're also all neighbors. Their houses are huge. Very high ceilings, and all 3-4 floors high. The thing my family likes to do is reminisce on the old days and look at old pictures. We saw a picture of my mom visiting my uncle's family at the age of 16. It's crazy to think our parents had lives before us. Oh, it was also here where I was a target for mosquitos...

For dinner we went back to the dim sum place. But this time our family booked a private room. This was our first really huge family gathering (with real family). even though it was with mostly extended family, I'm thankful we got to share that with them. And seeing my Mom with her brothers is a very rare and sweet thing to see. So glad we came.

This last part I'm writing in a very relaxed state. Just came back from a massage. Never gotten one before. A little strange but I think I can get used to it!!
As I write I'm kickin back in a pretty swanky hotel. Jiaxin Conifer Hotel in Shunde. Only opened last year. So nice.
Anyways, I'm gonna sleep in my uber-comfy bed now.

So, recap:
Peed in a hole. Got eaten alive. Well fed. Massage. Fancy hotel.

I love China.

HK: Day 9

Today started off like any other... Eating breakfast downstairs, then coming back up to chill. But today I finally finished my handmade, leather passport holder!!! It was actually so much fun. And I'm really happy with my finished product. I even punched in my name Stephanie L (or Stephaniel, as my Waterloo family calls me). It's a bit crooked, but hey, cut me some slack. This is handmade baby!!

After basking in my triumph, there was nothing else to do but chill some more and pack for our two day trip to China. So basically... one days worth of clothes in a bag. Done.

At 5:40 Ev and I boarded the metro to meet up with Karen and Peter. Yes, ladies and gents. We are the first to see the couple in person. So great to see our good friends somewhere other than Canada. And also so good to finally see them together! It was just like we were hanging out back at home, but he was calling her names like "sweetheart", and calling me "butthead"... Ick. Hahah
Oh those two... But hey! I made them look the same height in the picture!!!! -->

Back at home now. Have to get to bed soon... Gotta be on the bus to China by 8am. Great. Anyways... I don't think I'll be bringing my laptop with me so I'll keep a two day journal.

Till then...
Good night!

HK: Day 8

Didn't do much today. Had breakfast at the flat today. The moms went downstairs to purchase some food and brought it back up. Such service! Hahaha

At about 11:45 we headed to Mong Kok to shop around for a while. It was SO HOT today. OMG. Almost unbearable. Thankfully we were in the air conditioned mall for a bit before venturing out to the Ladies' Market. I learned that my mom's got some mad haggling skills. We bought a couple bowls for a mere $100 HKD thanks to her haggling.

Anyways, it was so hot that we had to come home shortly after. Napped for a couple hours before going to dinner.

Currently we're watching old videos of my cousin's family visiting us in Canada in 1995. Hilarious stuff. Oh my... I was a real gem.

PS. Getting lazy. Can you tell?

HK: Day 7

Probably the most tiring to date...

We left the flat at 10ish this morning, and just stepped in at 10:15pm. We were out for 12 hours today folks. It's safe to say I'm pretty tired.

So we took the subway to Central, then bused to Stanley where we did what we do best... shop and eat. Stanley is a pretty touristy place. You can tell cuz there's white people everywhere! As tourists, Stanley was the best place for us to buy souvenirs. Opportunity to practice haggling skills.

Today was pretty much all about the sights and views of Hong Kong. At Stanley/Central, the view of the water was amazing. My sister described it as the Hamptons of HK, as it is by the beach. The beaches were pretty crowded because it was a holiday (Buddha's birthday). Everywhere we went there were hoards of people. Heat + Sweat + People = Sticky Situation...

After a very long and nausea-inducing bus ride, we made it back to Central. We chilled at a place where my cousin's friend tends bar. Such a sweet atmosphere. My family and I were just about the only ones in the joint, and it was nice just to lay back, sit, and enjoy some A/C.

A while later, we took a tram headed to the Peak to check out more sights of Hong Kong. The view was amazing. By the time we got up there the sun had set, so the city lit up and looked so beautiful.

Our day didn't stop there...
Took another nausea-inducing bus ride back to central, but instead of subway-ing back to Lok Fu, we took the ferry to Kowloon. So much motion sickness in one day! I'm glad I didn't throw up over the side of the ferry...

Finally, we're back in Lok Fu, and before we go back to the flat, we eat a late dinner. Mmmmmm... pho..... Though admittedly it's not as good as B&T somehow.

That brings me to the end of my day. It really was a lot more tiring than I'm making it sound I think... Believe me, I'm sitting half dead on the couch right now as I'm writing. Need to take a quick shower and get to bed. Gooooood night!!

HK: Day 6

Note: This was supposed to be posted yesterday. Blogspot would not let me post...

Well gang, I’m happy to announce that I’ve finally overcome jet lag. I went to sleep at the late, late hour of 11:30pm and slept all the way till 9:30am. It was glorious. I can only hope that changing back to regular time won’t be as daunting of a task…

Anyways, today was our day of rest. Bummed around until 10:30 when we finally went downstairs to eat breakfast. Noodles for breakfast – again. Only on vacation though... I don’t know if I could do this on a regular basis.

Since today was our day of rest, I don’t have much to report. Ev and I ventured to a mall in Kowloon Tong and of course I ended up buying a couple things. Probably the shortest shopping trip ever, including travel time! We were pretty much on a mission.

Came home to catch the tail end of my mom’s facial. Afterwards we looked at my aunt’s past clients’ photos. She’s an aesthetician who helps to beautify brides on their special day. I didn’t realize how talented she is! She does everything! Facials, makeup, hair, designs the dresses… You name it she does it. Pretty much recruited her to doll me up on my day... when it comes. Ha.

The only set plan we had for the day was dinner with my late aunt’s husband. But before dinner, the highlight of my day was passing two gwai-lo (white) pubescent boys, and they were talking about chicks I suppose. The one was describing his dream girl: “Tall? Hot? Wassup!!” It was actually hilarious and made my day.

So anyways, my uncle took us to a place I’d classify to be fine Chinese dining. The food was MSG-free and deeelicious… especially the fish hand picked by my uncle. So fresh, so good. I could have eaten the whole thing. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a huge fan of seafood.

Pretty stoked for my facial. My aunt popped my brother’s huge zit. THAT was quite the sight. Should be a good time. I’ll keep you posted.

Well that pretty much sums it up. How’s Canada? Did I mention I miss home?

HK: Day 5

We haven't even been here for a week and already I'm a wreck.

First of all, as much as I appreciate the subway system here, it's tiring going from place to place to place. I miss sitting in a car. Standing is a bit much, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm not built for this lifestyle. The good thing about all this traveling though, is that there's no way you can get fat. You've got to walk everywhere! No excuse for extra poundage!! Hopefully my theory pans out... We've been eating out every meal. *fingers crossed*

So what did we do today?
Had McDonalds for breakfast. For 4 people, it didn't even cost $10 CAD. It's crazy how cheap food is here! Not to mention tasty and convenient.

At 11:30 we met up with my aunt and cousin in Kowloon Tong to head to Tung Chung Bay. We took a gondola to Ngong Ping Village, where we walked around and saw the gigantic Buddha. The most tiring part was waiting in line to get back. But at least the scenery was nice!

After a quick bite to eat, we did some shopping at Citygate Outlets. So many brand names but so little money. I'm so low on funds that I passed on the most beautiful pair of Burberry sunglasses! Instead I settled for a top and shiny leggings (finally) from Mango. Now that I think about it, I overpaid. Even at outlet prices... Ah well. It was red pocket money.

2.5 hours later, we ended up taking the subway to the gates of Disney. We didn't get off... but the actual subway cars were incredible!! Plush couch-like seats, and Mickey-shaped handles and windows, and even Disney character statuettes in glass cases. The seating was so comfortable, we didn't even bother to move. I could have ridden that line for hours.

Anyways, with that minor detour out of the way, we finally made it to Festival Walk in Kowloon for the most satisfying dinner so far. Chinatown food court-style meals. I was very happy with my char siew, siew yuk faan. So simple, yet so delicious. Good eats = Good times.

To all the mothers out there (who actually read my blog), I hope you have the most happy Mother's day. You're the most under-appreciated amongst us, so it's your day to bask in your awesomeness.
And to my own Mom (who doesn't read my blog), I'm sorry I don't show it much, but I do appreciate everything you do for me. You're the best mommy anyone could have.
I love you Momma. 

HK: Day 4

What better way to start off the day than to see my puppy back at home?? My family and I miss Abbie so much that we had to set up a Skype date just to see her. She's doing well, but apparently sits by the door awaiting our return. Heartbreaking, but so adorable that my love for her grows exponentially.

Afterward, we headed downstairs to have some breakfast. Instead of eating noodles today, I had corn and pork congee. Mmmmm. So good. Oh, and what meal isn't complete without HK style milk tea?

Once breakfast was over, we went back to the flat to take a quick nap before meeting my aunt at 11:30. Today we had dim sum and shopped in Sha Tin. We had a $1000 HKD gift card for Zara, and I thought I would spend it in a flash no problem. WRONG. I almost forced myself to buy stuff. Thankfully our Mother's Day present saved the day and helped us spend the rest. Also, having to spend 3 hours in the mall was the worst  because we're still fighting jet lag. After about 1.5 hours, we were beeeat. Plus, apparently people in Hong Kong don't believe in providing comfortable seating for the weary. It was quite the adventure just to find a bench to sit on.

Mom's new friend

When we reunited with my mom and aunt, we headed to Sai Kung's Public Pier to check out the scenery. It was refreshing as we were by the water. Loads of people walking around with their dogs, and it was there we met the most beautiful 3 year old St Bernard. I don't care that they're super slobbery, I'm definitely getting one when I grow up.

Soon it was finally time for dinner. I'd been waiting to eat some good seafood, and eating by the pier calls for nothing but. I got my wish and ate some lobster and about 2 full crabs. I'm a fiend when it comes to yummy crustaceans.

K, so I'm finally back at home. Exhausted and my feet hurt. It may be time to go to bed. I'm clearly still jet lagged... but I did sleep from 10-7 straight last night. So it's getting better.

But for now, I'm going to give into fatigue and hit the hay. Peace out.

HK: Day 3

Another busy day in Hong Kong. We've been going non-stop for 12 straight hours.

Jet lag is starting to diminish. I managed to sleep from 10:30 to about 6:30am. If only I can stay up past that time... I'll be kicking jet lag's ass in no time.

By 8:30, my mom, brother and sister were ready for breakfast, so we went downstairs and had noodles for breakfast again. Hahaha
After a hearty breakfast, my Mom took us to the market. Smellier than a supermarket, but the produce and meats are SO fresh. Everywhere you go, you'll see fresh veggies, fish, meat, baked goods. All cost what seem like mere pennies compared to prices back home.

What my product looks like so far...

After about an hour back at the flat, the fam and I left with my cousin to go to his studio where he taught us how to make simple leather goods. We decided that passport holders/small wallets would be our first projects. It's tougher than I'd thought. I've learned that I can't cut leather in a straight line... even with the help of a ruler.

At about 4pm Evelyn and I met up with our favorite campers from Bronte last summer -- Chess and Jenny!
We met up in Mong Kok to do some shopping. Really surprised I only picked up a few things, including pj's -- which I forgot to bring. I would forget to bring pyjamas.

Ladies Market in Mong Kok

Anyways, after a few hours of shopping, we needed to eat. So we opted for Korean BBQ. But it was way different than back at home! Instead of ordering food, like a buffet, you got up to get your own. In addition to the traditional meats etc, you could get dessert and drinks (like soy milk and herbal teas). Still feeling the food coma as I write...

It's almost bed time, so I'll just finish off.......... Now.
G'night!

HK: Day 2

It's only the second day in Hong Kong and I am beat.

Let me start off by saying that jet lag is a bitch and a half. I woke up at 4am and couldn't fall back asleep. Thank goodness I brought my laptop. It served as my entertainment til the rest of my family awoke. Hopefully I'll adjust quickly so I can finally get a good nights rest.

Once everyone was finally up and ready, we left the flat to eat breakfast downstairs. I love having instant noodles in the morning. I'll try not to make a habit of eating it or I'll end up being a fay poh (fat lady) and will have to gaam fay (lose weight) when I return to Canada.

After breaky we made our way to the cemetery where our late aunt Julie rests.  It was a somber moment, as her passing still affects our family -- even though it happened 7 years ago. I hadn't seen her in years, but the memories I have of her are precious and it's fair to say that she is dearly missed.

After visiting Julie, to brighten up the mood, we were led to APM, the largest shopping center in Kowloon. 7 floors of retail heaven to some... I however, felt overwhelmed because my head hurt trying to figure out CAD from HKD. I'm just happy that phones come equipped with calculators nowadays. Math woes aside, I actually ended up coming home empty handed. Chea. I know. Shocking huh? Haha

Following the shopping trip of the day, my cous brought us to the Jockey Club Creative Arts Center. A government sponsored building that rents out studios for artists and art classes. Most places weren't open, but we ended up looking at some neat light fixtures and crazy detailed dioramas. I wish I was creative...

Sounds like a jam packed day huh? Damn straight it was. We scarfed down a quick lunch and made our way back to the flat where I passed right out for an hour. If it wasn't for a previously arranged dinner with my aunt, I probably would have slept til the middle of the night. Which would have screwed up my sleep schedule even more.
So we met up with my mom's cousin (my aunt... kinda) to eat at a seafood restaurant. Food was alright. My stomach is also confused, so when I eat I can't really appreciate the quality of the food. But seriously though, at the rate I'm going, I'll definitely have to lose weight when I get home...

Well that was my day. How was yours?

HK: Day 1

Since our travels began, I've already learned one important lesson: Never travel with young'ns prone to misbehave.

After a daunting 15 hour long flight, I've come to the conclusion that I will NEVER fly with a 2 year old who screams at the top of their lungs for over an hour straight. That's right. Over an hour straight. I thought he would have tired himself out... I underestimated him entirely. Screaming for that long prompted my family and I to develop ill feelings towards the parents and their [obvious] lack of disciplinary skills. Parents, be wary of traveling with young children. Remember, there are others around you who are subject to their cries.

So, in Canada, we already stand out as white-washed Chinese kids. Imagine standing half a foot taller than most, dressing differently, speaking English and less than passable Canto. The Lais stick out like a majorly sore thumb. Not nearly as much as Caucasians though. We've started a tally, and in the metro station alone, we counted 14. Seeing white people makes me feel more at home. Man I miss Canada...

Haven't done much yet, but apparently we've a set itinerary courtesy of my more-than-eager 2nd uncle. Boredom is out of the question!

I Do?

The guests. The hats. The DRESS.

Like 2 billion others, I tuned in this morning at the ungodly hour of 5am to watch Prince William marry his main girl of 8 years, Catherine Middleton.

Was it worth it waking up so early? Probably not. I would have benefited from a few extra hours of sleep. I mostly got up to see the dress.

The best kept secret was Kate's McQueen wedding gown. It was beautiful no doubt. But after watching Royal Wedding specials for the past few days, I was somehow hoping she would pick something more extravagant.
Little did I know that her style is simple but elegant, and that she wanted her dress to reflect that of Grace Kelly's. I love the skirt and train -- pretty and fit for a princess.


While the new Duchess of Cambridge looked heavenly in white, her Prince was dashing in a scarlet Irish Guard uniform. Too bad he's balding. Sad face. I used to think he was the hottest of the princes, but Harry currently holds the new title of PILF. I didn't make that up by the way... it's trending on Twitter.


Anyways, enough about the couple. Let's talk about the actual ceremony -- which I felt was a tad long. And boring... While Will and Kate are more modern, they kept the ceremony very traditional. The biggest modern twist was that Kate's sister Pippa served as Maid of Honor. Usually the brides maids are younger children, so Pippa is the first to be close to the bride's age. Interesting huh?


So... my overall thoughts? I could have waited till later in the day to watch the highlights. The ceremony could stand to be a bit more interesting (I fell asleep during the sermon). But I loved the boys/men's choir. Beautiful music. Beautiful venue -- except I wouldn't want to be stuck somewhere with a crap view of the alter.
It was cool to watch history in the making -- a commoner becoming a princess. It's every girl's dream, and one lucky lady gets her fairytale ending.

One and Only

Pictured on the left in the newest issue of Rolling Stone magazine is the beautiful Adele. Her sophomore album 21 debuted at #1 on the US Billboard's top 200. I have Adele-fever. Which is much more potent than any Bieber-fever I might add.

Her voice is as amazing as her face. For those of whom haven't heard her single Rolling in the Deep please do so now.
Most of the reason why she's gaining popularity (and why I'm obsessed with her) is thanks to her amaaaaaazing voice. It's ridiculously husky, yet powerful. But so beautiful.

Like another 21 year old in the music biz she writes about her breakup and heartaches. But UNLIKE a certain country/pop artist, she's got a gazillion times more talent. And she's not overly spiteful in her lyrics.

Oh and her songs don't all sound the same...

I LOVE HER. Take a listen to a couple of my faves off of the album:

Oh na, na...

What's my name?

Yeah. That happened.

So I'm thinking about changing the name of my blog. What should I change it to?
Suggestions please...

Not high, just Limitless

Imagine if you could take a drug that would help you to tap into your brain's full potential. Now think about the possible repercussions if that information fell into the wrong hands...

Eddie Mora is a struggling writer who suffers from chronic writers block. When he reconnects with an old friend, he is offered a revolutionary new drug called NZT that allows him to recall anything and everything he's ever seen, heard or read, learn any language and understand complicated equations and come up with intense algorithms. 

Soon he finds himself working for a very successful broker and taking over Wall Street.

Someone soon finds out about his secret and wants to get their hands on his stash. Eddie's life is no longer safe as he attempts to keep his supply safe while trying to dodge his enemies.

Sounds intriguing huh? It was interesting enough to keep my attention, and Bradley Cooper's good looks made it even better. While his piercing blue eyes were enough for me to finish the movie, his acting chops were made quite prominent. Though I've really only seen him act in comedies, this movie seemed to give him the opportunity to showcase his action film, leading man talent. I don't think he'll be saying his thank yous at the Oscars any time soon, but his success rate can only go up from here.

Another name you might recognize is that of Robert De Niro. He plays financial mega-mogul Carl Van Loon who becomes Eddie's boss. His character isn't all that exciting. He's kind of an instigator of Eddie's addiction to the drug though. In order to impress his boss, Eddie needs to keep taking NZT to do so. De Niro's character is neither the bad guy or the good guy. I don't really have much else to say about him. He's a great actor, definitely not his best role, but pretty interesting I guess.

Abbie Cornish's name is also listed on the poster, so it's a given that her character is important enough to the plot. Yes, she is Eddie's girlfriend, who's kept in the dark about NZT until his life depends on it. I don't know much about her except she's Ryan Philippe's ex-girlfriend and she's in a new-ish film called Suckerpunch and that's about it... Her acting is decent enough that she's convincing enough in the film.

Limitless as a movie is entertaining. The concept is really interesting and makes me wish there was such a drug out there... Hahah Just kidding. Kind of. Imagine how much better my blog entries would be!?

Check it out. It's pretty good.

Up, up, up she goes!

Hailee Steinfeld has been cast to star in the latest film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

She's the youngest, but most "age appropriate" to play the role of Juliet. After watching her in True Grit I expect nothing but another amazing performance.

She may only be 14, but get used to it because you'll be hearing her name a LOT.

This is one star that is far from burning out.




Read more about it on Perez's website!

Never say "Never" (NO. Not Bieber movie...)

Never Let Me Go is a little known film I stumbled upon. I'll be honest, one of the main reasons why I even decided to watch it was because Andrew Garfield is my newest Hollywood crush and I just wanted an excuse to gawk at his amazingness.


So let's get to it.


In actuality, the film is an adaptation of a novel with the same title by Kazuo Ishiguro, a Japanese-British author. The film follows the lives of Tommy, Ruth and Cathy, three students of Hailsham, a boarding school situated in East Sussex, England. The school seems normal enough, until it is revealed to the students that they are raised for the sole purpose of becoming organ donors. And that they would cease to exist after all their vital organs have been donated.
In spite of this, the friendship between the three becomes a mixed love triangle. As kids, Cathy develops deep feelings for Tommy and it is clear he fancies her as well. But when she reveals her love for him to Ruth, Cathy is betrayed as Ruth and Tommy become a couple soon after.


Eventually as they've grown, Ruth and Tommy finally part and he and Cathy are given a chance at love. But reality rears its head and their lives change drastically.


As weird as this may sound, I really enjoyed the use of drab colours and gloomy settings throughout the movie. What does that mean you might ask. Well, everything was really subdued. The colours were were mainly blues, greens, grays etc., nothing overly colourful. I think it helps to convey the melancholy atmosphere that surrounds the plot. It's a little depressing, but the colours bring so much more meaning to the movie.


Colours are an additive, but what brings meaning to a script is the delivery of the lines. The actors essential. Films would not exist if there wasn't anyone to star in them. Director Mark Romanek cast 3 extremely talented actors; Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightly and newcomer Andrew Garfield (swoon). All of whom have prestigious award nominations to their name. Mulligan and Knightly have both received Oscar nominations, and Garfield is well on his way to one as well. But for now, I'm sure he's content with his Golden Globe nod. 


With talents such as these, the film can't go wrong. The trio has great chemistry and the love triangle is strikingly believable. I'm a huge fan of Keira Knightly, and it was crazy to dislike her character in a movie. Ruth is a sullen, jealous girl and I believe Keira embodied the character fully. I'd like to think that she's not actually like that in real person, but damn, she played that role with ease.  


Andrew Garfield played Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network which was his most memorable role to date. It was different to see him in a romantic scenario -- definitely a change, but a refreshing one. It just goes to show that he will not be typecast to one genre, which will soon be made apparent once his portrayal of the new Spiderman hits theaters.


This was the first film I'd seen Carey Mulligan as a lead role. I had seen the most recent Pride and Prejudice but had no idea that she was one of the Bennett girls till I IMDb'd her later. So I'll be writing as if I never knew that and this was the first film I'd seen her in. I think she is a strong actress. Knowing that she had been acknowledged by the Academy, I'll admit that I had a pre-instigated notion about her. But she did not disappoint. She has proven that she is someone to watch for, as she shows a lot of promise.


Drama, Romance, Andrew Garfield. Seriously, what more could you ask for? Hahaha.
In all seriousness, decent film -- I was pleasantly surprised. May even read the novel.

What's next...

Hello Blogosphere. It's been a while.
I have clearly run out of things to blog about. I need help! Please give me ideas.

But for the mean time, I'll post a song I'm currently obsessed with...

Another one bites the dust...

March 5, 2011 now goes down in history as the day Louis and Eileen became one. My friends walked down the aisle to For Good from Wicked, recited vows, and said "I do" to become man and wife. It was the most special occasion of their lives (as of now), and I felt so honored to be a part of it.

I've known Eileen for the majority of my life, and we've become close in the past 4 years. So much so, that my younger sister and I see her as a mentor, confidante, and jeh-jeh (older sister in Cantonese). She's always sure to free up her weekends just to hang out with us, even if we were just going to sit around and watch a movie or share a meal together. Eating take out became such a problem that Eileen and my sister collectively decided to start working out on Fridays. Thus began "Daily Friday Workouts". The time we spend together is memorable. She's a gift from the Lord and now we share her with another special person.

Like Eileen, when I first met Louie I could not take him seriously! This guy is a joker and he just takes things so lightly and cracks jokes from time to time. However, having gotten to know him due to Africa missions this past summer, I can now see why Eileen fell for him. He's just as caring as she is. His jokes are just as lame as hers are. He's got the same sense of humor as she does (and folks, it's not a good thing. Just kidding haha). He's got a heart for missions, like she does. And most important of all he loves the Lord with his whole being. Lou, you know that I would NEVER admit these things to your face, right?

As sad as I am to see her become someone's lo-poh (wifey),  I'm so glad that these two were brought together. Endless bouts of Lou's (anticlimactic) stories are sure keep her laughing for the rest of her life! They couldn't be more perfect Kingdom Life Partners. They are truly blessed to have found one another.

But seriously. Eileen/Louie, don't expect me to say such things to you in person. I WON'T DO IT!
Sooo... I guess I'll wait to get made fun of by you now. Hate you guys. OH SNAPS!

B-B-B-Brilliant

Nominated for 12 and winner of 4 Academy Awards, Tod Hooper presents his latest triumph -- The King's Speech. A film about a monarch who with a speech impediment who struggles to find his voice. This film follows King George VI on his journey to the throne and how he ultimately overcomes his stutter. 

Concerned for her husband, the Duchess of York stumbles upon Lionel Logue, a speech therapist. She convinces His Majesty to attempt therapy. And what they find is not only improvement in his speech, but an unlikely friendship begins to grow between Lionel and Bertie (King George VI).

After hearing countless good things about this movie, I had to see it. However, with school and a wedding on my mind, it got pushed back. Until I watched the Oscars on Sunday, February 27th, when The King's Speech took home 4 awards, including Best Actor, Best Director aaaand Best Picture. Huge awards. Finally, incentive for me to watch the film.

I was none but pleased with it. The royals always seem to fascinate me. I'm unfamiliar with the history before Elizabeth II (well except for what I've seen on The Tudors), so it was interesting to learn about her father. I gained much respect for the monarch. His story is inspiring not only to stammerers, but to all who suffer from any speech impediments. His first wartime speech was a clear example of his accomplishments.

As the King, I believe Colin Firth delivered the performance of a lifetime. For his efforts, he was awarded both a Golden Globe and Academy Award. Rightly so. He's come a long way from What a Girl Wants. I've seen his talent grow and grow since then, and I strongly believe he is now one of the most talented actors currently in the business. Oh plus the way he pronounces his r's is simply adowable! Wight?!

But he's not the only talented actor in the movie. Both Geoffry Rush and Helena Bonham Carter give notable performances. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel, who is compassionate for the King, but also challenged him. Because of this, the two strike up a friendship that lasts till the end of their lives. Rush is hauntingly believable, and you'll love his character for never giving up even when achieving results seemed impossible. As for Bonham Carter, it was refreshing to see her with a non-crazy role! Damn, she must be a good actress. She can nail both crazy and non-crazy. I can say with confidence that Rush and Bonham Carter are two of the finest British actors around.

That being said, please check this movie out. It's a drama, but there are a few good laughs. It's enjoyable through and through. You'll learn a lot about the frustrations of stuttering and you will appreciate all the work that goes into correcting it. The King's Speech was no doubt one of the best movies of 2010.

Boyle's Best

127 Hours tells the gripping true story of Aron Ralston. An engineer who found excitement in mountain climbing.

Director Danny Boyle recaps the events that took place in April 2003. Aron Ralston was going about his way climbing through the canyon, when a loose boulder fell and pinned his right arm against the rocks. The film captures Aron's struggle to fight for his life with the little supplies he had.

Now I remember hearing about the news at age 13. I don't think I reacted appropriately -- I mean, a guy cut off his arm to save his life. The words went in one ear and out the other. They had no semantics till I watched 127 Hours.

From the get-go, I was bracing myself for the inevitable arm-cutting scene. But before that could happen, we had to see Aron run out of "lifelines" in order to conclude that cutting his arm was the only means of saving his life.

He gets trapped early on in the movie, and since it runs for about 90 minutes, I was wondering how they would fill up the time. In fact, Boyle decided to throw in some flashbacks, which I found to be an interesting additive. It gives the audience a peek at what Aron's life had been like. Who his family was, who he'd loved, even what he had done the morning of the accident, etc. It's realistic to add in the flashbacks. I would think that if one was presumed to die soon, one would reminisce on the past and what could have been.

Finally I get to the moment I've been waiting for -- the arm cutting scene. I'm indifferent when it comes to blood and gore. I don't love it, but I can stand to watch it. Having said that, on this occasion, when there's much arm cutting, vein pulling, and bone breaking, I'll admit I was quite tense throughout. Thankfully, I was watching it in bed, so I watched from behind my comforter.  Great scene. Pivotal.

It's amazing how actors can use their talent to manipulate you to feel as their characters feel. James Franco delivers a performance that is Oscar worthy. I experienced Aron's triumphs and tribulations. When he attempted to push the boulder off his arm, I could feel my own teeth gritting as he pushed and struggled. It's a rare aptitude that few actors possess. James Franco proves once again that he is an A-list actor who can portray both a stoner and biological character with ease.

Bottom line: Boyle + Franco = a force to be reckoned with. Well done sirs.

Lucky 21

Wow, almost 2 full weeks went by without a new post. You know you're getting lazy when...


So this post will not be a movie review. My blog is about anything that I want to write about, so in lieu of my 21st birthday, I want to reflect on one of the greatest gifts I've ever received.

This is gonna get corny fast, so if you're not fond of sap or warm & fuzzies, perhaps you should wait for my next review.

Like I said, I'm reflecting on one of the best gifts I've ever received, and that would be my friends. God put such beautiful people in my life, all of whom I am proud to call my brothers and sisters. They're genuine, thoughtful, loving, and know what it means to be great friends. Most of them I've known since birth... some of them are newer friends. But I can't even begin to describe how much I love them.

So here's to being legal world-wide. And here's to great friends. Love you all. I thank the Lord for each of you.

True Hit

Following the murder of her father, a 14 year old girl hires an old US Marshal who has "true grit" to help her track down her father's killer in order to bring justice. Along the way, they meet a Texas Ranger. And the posse of three travel through deserts to find a killer. Based the novel True Grit by Charles Portis.

I think this is my first Western film. Wasn't sure what to make of it, but it's been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, so I decided to see what all the hype was about.

Jeff Bridges is even more badass than I originally thought he was! He portrays the Marshal as a man with a tough exterior, a drunkard at times, downright stubborn, and hard to strike a deal with. He is very convincing while doing so. I admit, I disliked his character at first, but I think a strong character like his like a strong cheese... It's an acquired taste. You grow to like it. I don't want to give too much away, but I ended up loving him towards the end.

A performance that I'd really like to praise is by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. A 14 year old that shows a lot of promise in the industry. Like her character, she is also 14. She plays a very head strong young lady who has plans to avenge her father's murder. Her character's persistence and stubbornness is positively endearing, as she shows that she is passionate about only one thing. I hope to see Hailee in more movies. She has a bright future ahead of her.

While generally, I wouldn't pick a Western film to watch, I'm glad I chose to give True Grit a try. It broadened my horizons, and even exceeded my expectations. I'll admit though, I may or may not have fallen asleep after the first half. In my defense, I was exceptionally tired. BUT if I hadn't, the movie would have had more of an effect on me. And I liked it. Jus' sayin.

Valentines Day is fast approaching...

For better or for worse. One of the most important vows a couple makes, when they stand before God and before their friends and family, is to spend the rest of their lives loving each other. For better or for worse.
Ponder that for a bit...

Here we have Blue Valentine. The title is appropriate, as a certain holiday is coming up and being the sucker for romance movies I am, I gave this one a try.

Blue Valentine is about a married couple who find themselves at an impass. While thinking about what they can do to make their lives work, the audience is taken back to when the couple first met and see when they fell in love.

Dean (Ryan Gosling) is a 20-something year old man who finds a job as a mover for a moving company. Cindy (Michelle Williams) is on her way to becoming a doctor. Both paths cross when Dean catches a glimpse of Cindy as he is leaving a retirement home (where Cindy spends time with her grandmother). Dean instantly realizes that he has experienced love at first sight. About a month later, he revisits the home in hopes of running into his lady love again. He doesn't, but instead sees her on the bus he takes home. And thus the fairytale story begins...

So how do they end up in such a rut? When do people start falling out of love? Is that even possible? Having seen my own parents break up, I think about it from time to time. Throughout the movie, when it goes from present day to the past, then back again, I get frustrated because I just don't see how this couple can fall out of love. If I wasn't watching this alone, I probably would have been more vocal with my frustrations.

Bravo to Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams on stellar performances. I found myself fighting for each character on separate occasions. That's what you're supposed to do as an actor right? Make the audience feel the emotions you (the actor) are trying to convey?
At times, I would be so enamoured with their lovey-dovey-ness. At other times, I just wanted to slap them both in the face and give them a piece of my mind.

Now I don't know what the message of the movie was, but what got me the most was when Dean confronted Cindy and said, "For better or for worse. You broke your promise..."

When I started watching Blue Valentine I was expecting an epic love story. Instead, I get this Debbie-downer of a movie that gets me thinking all about the downsides of love. Just what I needed this holiday. But in all seriousness. I'm not bashing the film. It's well done. The acting was great. I was really invested in the characters (maybe a little too invested) and it was worth watching. Just maybe not this close to Valentines Day...

With that aside -- I want to wish you all a very happy Valentines Day. Much love.